Gang Of Four Tribute Compilation’s Track Listing Revealed

Posted on January 14, 2021 by philspicks

Audiences now know the track listing for the upcoming Gang of Four tribute record The Problem of Leisure: A Celebration of Andy Gill and Gang of Four.

The record, which is scheduled for release in May, will feature performances from a who’s who of the rock community. Artists and acts, such as Gary Numan (whose new album Intruder is scheduled for release in May), the Dandy Warhols, and Killing Joke are all listed on the track listing for the 2LP vinyl set. Pre-orders for the compilation are open.

Serj Tankian (System of a Down) and Tom Morello (Rage Against The Machine, Audioslave, Prophets of Rage) premiered the compilation’s lead single last week, a cover of Group of Four’s hit single ‘Natural’s Not In It.’

Prior to his passing last year, Gill had envisioned the new compilation record as a celebration marking 40 years since the release of Entertainment! Following his death, that changed, and artists instead opted to lay out the compilation’s body with works that represented much more of Gang of Four’s catalog, according to Gill’s widow Catherine Mayer.

Mayer said in her comments, that Gill approved of the changes.

“Andy was massively excited about this project,”said Mayer. “It wasn’t of course conceived as a tribute album, but it’s comforting to me that he lived to see artists he hugely admired enthusiastically agreeing to participate, signaling that the admiration was mutual.”

The full track listing for The Problem of Leisure: A Celebration of Andy Gill and Gang of Four is noted below.

The Problem of Leisure: CD One

Vinyl One, Side A

IDLES – Damaged Goods (UK)
Tom Morello & Serj Tankian – Natural’s Not in It (USA)
Helmet – In the Ditch (USA)
3D* x Gang of Four feat. Nova Twins – Where the Nightingale Sings (UK)
Hotei – To Hell With Poverty (Japan)

Vinyl One, Side B

Gary Numan – Love Like Anthrax (UK)
Gail Ann Dorsey – We Live as We Dream, Alone (USA)
Herbert Grönemeyer feat. Alex Silva – I Love a Man in a Uniform (Germany)
LoneLady – Not Great Men (UK)
JJ Sterry – 5.45 (UK)

The Problem of Leisure: CD Two
Vinyl Two, Side C

La Roux – Damaged Goods (UK)
Everything Everything – Natural’s Not in It (UK)
Dado Villa-Lobos – Return the Gift (Brazil)
The Dandy Warhols – What We All Want (USA)
Warpaint – Paralysed (USA)

Vinyl Two, Side D

Flea & John Frusciante – Not Great Men (USA)
The Sounds – I Love a Man in a Uniform (Sweden)
Hardcore Raver in Tears – Last Mile** (China)
Killing Joke x Gang of Four – Forever Starts Now (Killing Joke Dub) (UK)
Sekar Melati – Not Great Men (live version) (Japan)

* 3D is the remix name of Robert Del Naja from Massive Attack

** “Last Mile” is the new title for this cover of “Broken Talk”, reflecting new lyrics sung in Mandarin by Hardcore Raver in Tears

More information on the compilation is available along with all of Gang of Four’s latest news at:

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/gangoffourofficial

Twitter: http://twitter.com/gangof4official

To keep up with the latest entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Serj Tankian, Tom Morello Team Up For Gang Of Four Cover

Posted on January 8, 2021 by philspicks

Tom Morello has partnered with System of a Down front man Serj Tankien for a classic rock cover.

The guitarist, known for his work with Rage Against The Machine, Audioslave, and Prophets of Rage, teamed with Tankian to debut a cover of Gang of Four’s ‘Natural’s Not In It.’ The single, available here, is featured in the forthcoming compilation record The Problem of Leisure: A Celebration of Andy Gill and Gang of Four, which is scheduled for release in May. Pre-orders for the compilation are open.

Tankian and Morello stay true to the source material with their rendition of the classic tune. The duo just built on the original and gave it more of a punch without letting their own styles and influences overtake the work.

Gill’s widow Catherine Mayer gave her approval to the work in a prepared statement, noting that Gill himself approved of the work prior to his passing last year from complications that stemmed from COVID-19.

“Andy loved what Tom and Serj did with this song, the fierceness of their attack and the jet-engine scream of feedback” said Mayer. “This was a track Andy always enjoyed performing. He said their version brilliantly captured all the explosive, danceable energy ‘Natural’s Not In It’ can create in live performance.”

Morello spoke warmly of Gill and Gang of Four in his own remarks.

“Andy Gill was one of a handful of artists in history who changed the way guitars are played,” said Morello. “His band Gang of Four were just incendiary and completely groundbreaking with Andy’s confrontational, unnerving and sublime playing at the forefront. His jagged plague-disco raptor-attack industrial-funk deconstructed guitar anti-hero sonics and fierce poetic radical intellect were hugely influential to me.”

Tankian added his own statement, speaking just as highly of Gill and of Morello.

“It was a real pleasure to work on this track with Tom and honor the legacy of Andy and Gang of Four at the same time,” said Tankian.

‘Natural’s Not In It’ is featured in Gang of Four’s 1979 debut album Entertainment! Rolling Stone magazine dubbed the album “the fifth best punk album of all time.” It is also featured in the soundtrack to the 2006 movie Marie Antoinette.

Mayer said in her comments, that Gill approved of the changes.

“Andy was massively excited about this project,” said Mayer. “It wasn’t of course conceived as a tribute album, but it’s comforting to me that he lived to see artists he hugely admired enthusiastically agreeing to participate, signaling that the admiration was mutual.”

The full track listing for The Problem of Leisure: A Celebration of Andy Gill and Gang of Four is expected for reveal on Jan. 14.

More information on the compilation is available along with all of Gang of Four’s latest news at:

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/gangoffourofficial

Twitter: http://twitter.com/gangof4official

More information on Tom Morello is available along with all of his latest news at:

Website: http://tommorello.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TomMorello

Twitter: http://twitter.com/tmorello

More information on Serj Tankian is available along with his latest news at:

Website: http://www.serjtankian.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SerjTankian

Twitter: http://twitter.com/serjtankian

The Pretty Reckless Partners With Tom Morello For New Single

Posted on January 8, 2021 by philspicks

The Pretty Reckless has enlisted the aid of Tom Morello for its latest single.

The band partnered with the guitarist, who is known for his work with Rage Against The Machine, Audioslave, and Prophets of Rage, for its new single ‘And So It Went.’ The song is the fourth single from the band’s forthcoming album Death by Rock and Roll, which is scheduled for release Feb. 12 through Fearless Records.

The band debuted the album’s third single ‘25‘ and its video Dec. 18. It debuted the video for the album’s second single ‘Broomsticks‘ Oct. 22. The lead single/title track saw its premiere last June.

Album pre-orders are open. The album’s track listing is noted below.

DEATH BY ROCK AND ROLL TRACK LISTING:
“Death By Rock And Roll”
“Only Love Can Save Me Now”
“And So It Went”
“25”
“My Bones”
“Got So High”
“Broomsticks”
“Witches Burn”
“Standing At The Wall”
“Turning Gold”
“Rock And Roll Heaven”
“Harley Darling”

The musical arrangement featured in The Pretty Reckless’ new single is a driving, up-tempo composition. Morello’s work on the song gives it an infectious blues-rock influence while also incorporating his trademark effects for even more impact. The use of the children’s chorus as the song progresses conjures thoughts of Pink Floyd’s timeless, socially conscious song ‘Another Brick in the Wall.’

Speaking of social consciousness, front woman Taylor Momsen noted in a recent interview, the song’s lyrical content is its own social commentary.

“The world has been in such a state of civil unrest,” said Momsen. “‘And So It Went’ basically comes from that vision. As a songwriter, I feel like I’m not here to preach. I use music to observe and communicate what I see around me. This song felt like the perfect storm for Tom Morello to join in and rip the sound waves apart with his guitar. It was more than a pleasure having him add his unique and defining sound to the song.”

More information on The Pretty Reckless’ new single and album is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:

Website: http://deathbyrockandroll.com

Facebook: http://www.faceboo.com/theprettyreckless

Twitter: http://twitter.com/TPROfficial

Small Town Titans Debuts ‘Rufflin’ Feathers’ Video

Posted on October 9, 2020 by philspicks

Small Town Titans is giving audiences a new preview of its forthcoming album The Ride.

The band debuted the video for the album’s sixth single, ‘Rufflin’ Feathers‘ last month. The single’s premiere follows the debut of the album’s other singles, ‘Junkie For You,’ ‘Universal Limits,’ ‘The Man,’ ‘9 to 5‘ and a cover of Marcy Playground’s ‘Sex and Candy.’

The video for ‘Rufflin’ Feathers’ was co-directed by Guiles and Josh Nesmith. It places the band — Phil Freeman (bass, vocals), Ben Guiles (guitar), and Johnny Ross (drums, vocals) — in a studio setting as it performs its new single.

The musical arrangement featured in the video lends itself to a comparison to works from Audioslave. That is evidenced through the Guiles’ guitar work and Freeman’s vocals. Guiles’ guitar work here is very closely similar in terms of sound and style to that of Tom Morello during his Audioslave days. In the same vein, Freeman’s vocal delivery sound and style is eerily reminiscent of of the late, great Chris Cornell. Ross’ time keeping is solid and rich, too.

The lyrical theme featured in the band’s latest single is a social commentary about the negative influence of social media, according to Ross.

“‘Rufflin’ Feathers’ is a tongue-in-cheek song about the circus that is social media this year. It’s become a constant negative assault on the senses. We wrote it for those who want to drown out all of the social noise by turning their speakers up right now.”

The Ride is scheduled for release Nov. 13 through AntiFragile Music. More information on the album is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:

Website: http://smalltowntitans.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/smalltowntitans

Twitter: http://twitter.com/smalltowntitans

To keep up with the latest entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “LIke” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

South of Eden Debuts Video For ‘Show Me How To Live’ Video

Posted on September 16, 2020 by philspicks

South of Eden is paying tribute to Audioslave and its late front man Chris Cornell.

The band debuted the video for its cover of Audioslave’s song ‘Show Me How To Live’ Monday through Spin magazine. Recorded at Sonic Lounge Studios in Grove City, Ohio, the performance was filmed, directed, and edited by John Payne for Payne Productions.

South of Eden stayed largely true to Audioslave’s original song in its take on ‘How To Live.’ The most noticeable change in SOE’s take is the solo, which takes Tom Morello’s work and steps it up even more. Front man Ehab Omran’s vocal delivery is such that even Cornell’s fans will find themselves praising his take on the song. Meanwhile, Tom McCullough (drums) and Nick Frantianne (bass) are just as worthy of their own praise as they take on the work of Brad Wilk and Tim Cummerford in their respective parts.

Courtesy: TAG Publicity/Spin Magazine

The band released a prepared statement explaining its reasoning for covering ‘Show Me How To Live.’

‘I fell in love with ‘Show Me How To Live’ instantly,” the statement reads. “It’s a very heavy riff, but it grooves at the same time, and that’s why I think Tom Morello is a god for doing all the things he does on the electric guitar. And obviously Chris Cornell is nothing to pass over at all, may he rest in peace.”

More information on South of Eden’s new cover and EP The Talk is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:

Website: http://southofedenband.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/southofedenmusic

Twitter: http://twitter.com/southofedenband

‘Prophets Of Rage’ Is A Solid Effort For RATM 2.0

Posted on September 16, 2017 by philspicks

Courtesy: Fantasy Records

Rage Against The Machine is back again…sort of. Tom Morello, Tim Cummerford and Brad Wilk joined forces with longtime friends B-Real (Cypress Hill) and Chuck D (Public Enemy) some time ago following the dissolution of Audioslave to form the super group Prophets of Rage, which is for all intents and purposes Rage Against The Machine 2.0. The only real difference between this “new” group and RATM—as is clear in listening to the group’s brand new self-titled debut album, is the fact that Morello, Wilk and Cummerford are joined this time out by the aforementioned superstar hip-hop front men. Musically and lyrically speaking, the fruits of the group’s efforts make this 12-song album everything that Rage Against The Machine fans have come to expect from that band. Even with that in mind, that return to musical and lyrical form makes this record a welcome effort from the second coming of Rage Against The Machine.

Prophets of Rage’s brand new self-titled debut album is a welcome effort from what is for all intents and purposes the second coming of Rage Against The Machine. That is due in part to the musical arrangements presented throughout the course of the album’s 12-song, 39-minute run time. From start to finish, listeners get here 12 arrangements that are a full return to form for Morello and his RATM band mates—Brad Wilk (drums) and Brad Cummerford (bass). Morello’s heavy riffs and guitar-based special sound effects lift from all three of RATM’s full-length studio efforts and even from the trio’s work under the Audioslave moniker. That balance of sounds throughout this record makes it enjoyable enough even despite the arrangements not exactly being anything groundbreaking. Keeping this in mind, the album’s collective arrangements are collectively just one of the album’s elements to examine. Its lyrical content is just as important to note here as those arrangements.

The lyrical content presented throughout Prophets of Rage is important to note here because it is just as familiar to RATM fans as the album’s musical arrangements. What is important to note here is that while being as socially conscious as the lyrics in RATM’s previous albums, the topics tackled here are timely. They do not just rehash the topics taken on in those records. Case in point is the album’s opener ‘Radical Eyes.’ This song clearly takes on the misconception that just because someone might read one religious book or another that said person has become radicalized. It is a response, basically, to the close mindedness that so many people have primarily against the Muslim community in this nation. Its follow-up, ‘Unf*** the World’ stays on a similar mindset as it takes on the issue of racism that is still so alive in America. The group also takes on the issue of poverty in America and the struggle to fight the issue due to politicians who seemingly don’t care to fight that battle in ‘Living on the 110.’ The group even takes on the issue of personal privacy invasion of sorts in ‘Take Me Higher,’ which addresses law enforcement’s use (and possible misuse) of drones in their daily duties. The group even goes so far as to address the tensions between police and the people that have risen in recent years over allegations of police brutality in ‘Hands Up.’ This is all just a glance at the way in which Prophets of Rage manages lyrically to impress listeners with its timely lyrical content. The other songs not noted here all present lyrical content that is just as timely as the material noted here. Keeping all of this in mind, the lyrical content presented throughout this record proves to be POR’s cornerstone. It is just one more of the album’s most important elements, too. The album’s sequencing puts the final touch to its overall presentation.

Plenty of time and thought was obviously put into Prophets of Rage’s sequencing. From start to finish, the album never lets its fire burn out. Even as the group gets a bit funky in ‘Take Me Higher,’ it still doesn’t let up in its energy. The up-tempo arrangement is instantly infectious thanks to all involved, ensuring listeners’ engagement just as much as the album’s much heavier arrangements. Much the same can be said of ‘Counteroffensive,’ the 38-second interlude which lifts more from Public Enemy and Cypress Hill than RATM. Even as short as it is and stylistically separate from its counterparts, its arrangement still is entertaining. Its placement almost halfway through the record is just as smart, as it gives listeners a short break and some variance to the record in whole. Considering this, the energies exhibited in each song and the fact that no one song directly repeats the other (in regards to their arrangements), it becomes even clearer why the album’s sequencing is so important to the album’s whole. The energies never vary even as the familiar arrangements do vary. When this is considered along with the arrangements themselves and the album’s timely lyrical content, the end result is an album that proves to be a solid first effort from Prophets of Rage and an equally solid new effort from what is for all intents and purposes Rage Against The Machine 2.0. More information on Prophets of Rage is available now along with Prophets of Rage’s latest news and more at:

Website: http://prophetsofrage.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/prophetsofrageofficial

Twitter: http://twitter.com/prophetsofrage

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Eagle Rock Releases Second Video From RATM’s Upcoming Concert Recording

Posted on September 17, 2015 by philspicks

Courtesy: Eagle Rock Entertainment

Eagle Rock Entertainment is giving audiences yet another look at Rage Against The Machine’s upcoming live archived concert recording Live at Finsbury Park. That is because the leader in live recordings released the video this week for another of the songs included in the band’s upcoming recording.

Officials with Eagle Rock Entertainment released the video of the band performing ‘Bulls on Parade’ this week. The performance can be seen online now via Eagle Rock Entertainment’s official YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46ubFgAwKlU&feature=youtu.be. It follows the previously released video of the band performing another of its hits ‘Killing in the Name.’

Live at Finsbury Park will be available in stores and online Friday, October 16^th. It will be available on DVD, Blu-ray, and digital formats. The DVD will retail for MSRP of $14.98 and the Blu-ray for $19.98. Prices for its digital presentation will be announced at a later date. Fans can now pre-order the recording via iTunes at http://smarturl.it/RageFinsburyDigital. The twelve-song set features some of RATM’s biggest hits including: ‘Killing in the Name,’ ‘Bulls on Parade,’ ‘People of the Sun,’ ‘Guerilla Radio,’ ‘Bullet in the Head,’ ‘Bombtrack,’ ‘Sleep Now In The Fire,’ ‘and even a cover of The Clash’s hit single ‘White Riot.” Front man Zach de la Rocha even offers an interesting backstory on the song and the band’s choice to perform the song. If the extensive career-spanning set list isn’t enough for audiences, Eagle Rock Entertainment also has included a “Behind The Scenes” featurette that includes an in-depth interview with Jon and Tracy Morter in which the pair discusses the campaign that led to the band’s performance and more. The track listing for Live at Finsbury Park is noted below.

TRACK LISTING
1) Testify
2) Bombtrack
3) People Of The Sun
4) Know Your Enemy
5) Bulls On Parade
6) Township Rebellion
7) Bullet In The Head
8) White Riot
9) Guerrilla Radio
10) Sleep Now In The Fire
11) Freedom
12) Killing In The Name

More information on this and other titles from Eagle Rock Entertainment is available online now at:

Website: http://www.eagle-rock.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/EagleRockEnt

Twitter: http://twitter.com/EagleRockNews

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Fogerty’s New LP Is An Album For Everyone

Posted on November 20, 2013 by philspicks

Courtesy: Vanguard Records

John Fogerty’s first full length studio release in over six years isn’t exactly a new album. But it is still a fun collection of songs, nonetheless. Wrote a Song For Everyone takes fourteen of Fogerty’s most famous and beloved songs and updates them for a new generation. It goes without saying that the classics collected for this compilation didn’t necessarily need an update. But the updates do admittedly give listeners a new take on the classics. It’s actually a good thing. And that will be discussed later. The song selection itself is just part of what makes this collection of classics a hit in and of itself. Fogerty was joined by some of the biggest names in the music industry in re-recording the songs for this work. And some of the names included on the “guest list” might surprise some listeners. That’s one more reason for fans to pick up this record. The compilation’s bonus booklet is the extra spice that makes Wrote a Song For Everyone quite the musical dish. The bonus booklet includes a back story on each of the songs included on the record. Together with the guest appearances and the song choices themselves, it all combines to make this compilation one that music lovers of ages will love no less with each listen.

The songs collected for Wrote a Song For Everyone are some of John Fogerty’s best known and beloved songs. The natural reaction to these songs by those more familiar with them is to question if they really needed an update. The end result after having listened through the compilation is one of pleasant surprise. Listeners that are more familiar with the original songs will agree that needed or not, these updates are fun new takes on Fogerty’s classics. It all starts with an update of what is perhaps his most beloved songs, ‘Fortunate Son.’ Fogerty is joined by Dave Grohl and his band mates in Foo Fighters on this update, with Fogerty and Grohl sharing vocal duties on the song. It’s a great way to open the compilation because it largely sticks to Fogerty’s original song. At the same time, it gives the song new life because it amps up the song and keeps it fresh for a whole new generation that can relate to it just as easily as that generation that originally related to it. Fogerty is joined later by Zac Brown Band on the update of another of his hits in ‘Bad Moon Rising.’ The band’s update on this song is just as fun as Fogerty’s original take on the song. Unlike the update of ‘Fortunate Son’, the update of ‘Bad Moon Rising’ doesn’t stick strictly to the original song. That aside, it’s still a pretty interesting take on the song. Brown and his band mates put their own signature semi-tropical spin on the song. There’s even a little guitar solo added to the song on this take. It’s another of the compilation’s pieces that fans of the original song will enjoy just as much as younger listeners. Fogerty’s new take on ‘Who’ll Stop The Rain’ is one of the most interesting on this new release. He is joined by fellow veteran rocker Bob Seeger on the song. The pair took the original mid-tempo country-rock piece and gave it more of a pure country vibe. It comes across as being more reserved on this take than on the original. That’s not a bad thing, either. It is just a new and equally enjoyable take on the song. It’s just one of many more songs from this compilation from which listeners have to choose as their favorite. Also included on this record are updates of ‘Have You Ever Seen The Rain’, ‘Born on the Bayou’, and ‘Hot Rod Heat’ just to name a few. Again whether one is familiar with these songs or not, they all comprise a record that Fogerty fans of all ages will enjoy.

Fogerty fans of all ages will enjoy this compilation primarily because of the songs that comprise the record. The songs themselves aren’t all that listeners will appreciate. The record’s “guest list” is another of its selling points. As already noted, Fogerty is joined by the likes of Zac Brown Band, Bob Seeger, and Foo Fighters on some of the record’s updates. Also along for the ride are: Brad Paisley, Alan Jackson, Miranda Lambert, Tom Morello (Rage Against The Machine, Audioslave), and Kid Rock. Even former American Idol contestant and award-winning singer Jennifer Hudson makes an appearance among many others. On the surface, one might look at the record’s “guest list” and shrug, asking why any of this is significant. It’s significant in that it shows the influence that John Fogerty has had on both his fellow veteran musicians and even younger musicians. It’s an example of actions speaking louder than words. And it’s a statement that speaks very loudly with this release.

The sequencing and “guest list” chosen for Wrote a Song For Everyone both are critical factors in the album’s success. They both play important roles in the album’s overall presentation. Just as important is the album’s bonus booklet. The booklet included with the album is such an important addition to the overall presentation because it offers a back story to each song. Those stories come from Fogerty’s own words, too. Many audiences will be amazed to learn that ‘Fortunate Son’ was written as a result of his own time serving in the Army Reserve during Vietnam. He writes in the song’s liner notes, that ‘Fortunate Son’ was the result of his person feelings about states using the term ‘Favorite Son’ for their politicians. He explains in the liner notes that he took that term and changed it to “Fortunate Son” to reflect his negative thoughts on the original term. Just as interesting to learn is that he felt so strongly about what was going on at the time and ended up writing the song in just twenty minutes. This after he and the band had originally rehearsed the song without any lyrics at all. His story behind ‘Bad Moon Rising’ is just as eye and ear opening as it is being read. He explains how the song originally was the result of a famous movie titled The Devil and Daniel Webster. He expands on this, explaining how the movie got him to thinking about the impact that music can have on people, and how that links back to the song. His anecdote is one that will move any fan. His somewhat cryptic explanation of ‘Who’ll Stop The Rain’ is sure to get fans discussing, too. He closes his explanation stating that the song is about “seeking the truth.” He links this to his experience at the very first Woodstock festival. Those that know the history of the original Woodstock will perhaps understand this better than anyone, especially if said individuals were actually there in person. It’s just one more story that makes the album’s booklet more a bonus for fans than just a bunch of liner notes. And together with everything already mentioned, it makes this record even more worth picking up whether for one’s own self or as a gift this holiday season. It is available now in stores and online.

John Fogerty recently wrapped up a massive tour in support of his new album. Fans can check in for more tour dates and news from John Fogerty online at http://www.johnfogerty.com and http://www.facebook.com/johnfogerty. Fans can also get his album online via either site. To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Audiences Will Enjoy “Fan Made” Rockumentary

Posted on July 22, 2013 by philspicks

Courtesy: Arts Alliance Media/Scott Free/Black Dog

Bruce Springsteen. One name. So many thoughts. Few artists have meant to the music industry what he and his band mates in the E Street Band have—and still mean—to audiences and fellow musicians through their career. Now thanks to film maker Baillie Walsh, audiences get a very special look at just what he and his band mates mean to the world. Walsh has directed a new documentary centered on “The Boss” that is comprised largely of fans submissions. The documentary, Springsteen and I, presents what he and his band’s music mean to fans from the first hand perspective of his fans.

Lots of documentaries have been made over the years that include fan submissions. But it’s rare for music documentaries to consist nearly entirely from the perspective of the fans. It makes this a very special presentation. What’s so interesting in terms of the fan submissions is just how many people from so many backgrounds Bruce Springsteen has reached throughout the course of his career. Audiences see fans from every walk of life. There are truckers, housewives, hopeful musicians, and so many others in between. Just as interesting is the sentiment shared throughout the fan submissions. Every fan notes just how important of a role Springsteen’s music has played in their life. At one point, one fan tells his story of the importance of Springsteen’s music as he drives, and begins to become very emotional. It’s one of the most moving of the main feature’s barely hour plus run time. On the completely opposite end, there’s an appearance by “The King” in one fan story that will have audiences laughing and smiling together. Whereas the previous moment noted was one of the film’s most moving, this moment is one of the most memorable for the wonderful feelings that it will bring about. The story shared by the Elvis impersonator is one of this documentary’s most enjoyable of highlights. There are plenty more highlights that could be shared. But that would mean endless rambling. And that is not what this critic is here to do. However, it does bring about another aspect of the documentary that audiences will enjoy just as much as the stories shared by their fellow fans. That enjoyable secondary aspect of the documentary is the fan and professional footage used for the feature.

The professional footage included in the feature makes up a healthy portion of its live performances. As a matter of fact, the second hour of the feature is nothing but live footage of Springsteen and company culled from over the years. While both the live and “bootleg” footage are combined throughout the first hour of the documentary to help illustrate the stories shared by Springsteen’s fans, the documentary’s more professionally recorded performances complete everything. The second half of the documentary is comprised largely of live performances. It culminates with the now infamous London 2012 performance in which the plug was pulled because the show went past the city curfew. It makes sense as to why the London show was used as the final performance in the documentary. The way in which it went out literally with the lights made for even more impact. That’s because the show didn’t end there. Springsteen stayed devoted to the audience and played one more song before having to leave the stage. It was one last tribute to what it is that makes people love Springsteen so much to this day. Sir Paul McCartney (The Beatles, Wings) was there along with John Fogerty (Creedence Clearwater Revival), Tom Morello (Rage Against The Machine, Audioslave, Street Sweeper Social Club). The footage sound and video were expertly mixed both with this concert and with the others included throughout the documentary’s second half. Even after the concert ends, there’s one more surprise for audiences that takes up the last ten minutes or so of the documentary. It will leave audiences feeling entirely fulfilled, knowing they have just experienced something very special.

The mix of live footage and fan submitted stories makes Springsteen and I more than just another concert documentary or documentary. All things considered, it will be a wonderful experience for any true fan of Bruce Springsteen from start to finish. And it will be an equally welcome addition to any Springsteen fan’s home library when it is eventually released to DVD and/or Blu-ray. But first, it will run exclusively in theaters one time today, July 22^ndand again next Tuesday, July 30th. Audiences can check to see if it will play at their nearest theater online at http://www.fathomevents.com/#!springsteen-and-i. Fans in Greenville, North Carolina will get to see this feature tonight at the Greenville Grande 14. Audiences in Raleigh will also get to see it as it will play at the Brier Creek Stadium 14. Fans in the mountains of North Carolina will also get to see the presentation as it will run at theaters in Asheville, Charlotte, Concord, Greensboro, and Salisbury. Tickets for showings can also be purchased online at http://www.fathomevents.com/#!springsteen-and-i.

To keep up with tall of the latest news and more from Bruce Springsteen, fans can follow him on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/brucespringsteen and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/springsteen. Fans can also get all the latest news and notes from Bruce Springsteen on his official website, http://www.brucespringsteen.net.

To keep up with all of the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Queen V Hits Compilation A “Royal” Hit

Posted on July 12, 2013 by philspicks

Courtesy: Royal Noise Records

Ladies and gentleman, all hail her highness, Queen V. For those rock and roll purists that haven’t yet heard the music of this heroine of hard rock, the New York based artist and her band mates are sure to impress with the new release, The Decade of Queen V. This eleven track singles collection tracks the band’s now decade-long career together. With any luck, the release of this brand new compilation will generate enough interest in Queen V to see her previous releases including her debut EP, Critical. There is not one bad track on this compilation, which is a rare feat for a “hits” collection; this is especially rare considering that the band has flown just below the mainstream radar throughout the first ten years of its time together.

The first of the classic songs on this compilation, ‘Revolution Baby’ will instantly conjure thoughts of Joan Jett and Lita Ford with her gritty vocal style and hard driving music. Her defiance as she sings lines such as: “You’ve got yours and I want mine”, “I’ve got every reason/to waste me time/Revolution baby/If you think you own me/Go to hell” is the mark of a strong confident woman who could care less about the reputation of the rock industry being marked as a man’s world. The inclusion of this song as the compilation’s opener is simply put, a reminder of that confidence to first time listeners of her music. The musical backing is just as solid as Queen V’s own vocals. The bluesy harmonica backing wouldn’t seem to go with the harder guitars and drums. But somehow it all melds nicely together to make a perfect introduction for first timers and re-introduction for those that might have otherwise forgotten about her and her band mates.

The energy doesn’t let up at all on the compilation’s next song, ‘America.’ This is pure, guitar-driven hard rock at its absolute finest. The guitar solos are there. The energy is there from each one of the band’s members. And one can so easily close one’s eyes and imagine the band on stage, Queen V up front, fist in the air as she screams, “America/Can you hear me?” What is most intriguing and interesting about the song is not so much it’s lyrical content, but its slow boil style. It starts hard enough. But audiences will notice how the song seems to build, musically increasingly with each verse until it all explodes with a massive guitar solo at the song’s end with Queen V hitting some of the highest notes of any female rocker of any era. It’s like hearing Janis Joplin if she were a hard rocker, for lack of better comparison when she hits those high notes. No doubt, long-time fans will appreciate all of this. And first-time listeners will be just as impressed with the talents exhibited here by the entire band.

Not all of the songs on Queen V’s new compilation are older pieces. She also includes a newer piece in ‘My Machine’ that features none other than Tom Morello (Rage Against The Machine, Audioslave, The Watchman, Street Sweeper Social Club). Morello sounds as strong as ever with his guitar wizardry. As bizarre as this may seem, but the way that Queen V intros the song, bring about thoughts of John Lee Hooker. It’s that familiar opening of “ha, ha, ha, ha.” John Lee Hooker fans will get the reference. It might not have been entirely purposeful. But it’s a nice touch to the song. And it only gets more intense from here. The intensity developed throughout the compilation’s sequence of songs is right here, too.

There is so much that could be written on Queen V. But suffice it to say that whether for the songs noted here, or the compilation’s others, including its closer—which was co-written by and features none other than Lemmy Kilmister (Motorhead) on vocals—or any of the album’s other outstanding works, this compilation is an absolute must have for any hard rock purist. Fans can catch the songs from this brand new release and even more of the band’s hits tonight when the band takes the stage at the Thunderbird Café in Pittsburgh, PA. The band will be in Clifton, New Jersey on July 26^th. The Decade of Queen V is available now in stores and online. It can be ordered direct online from the Queen V website at http://www.queenv.com/web/?product=the-decade-of-queen-v-cd-pre-order or via iTunes at https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-decade-of-queen-v/id662842188. Audiences can find out more about the band’s live schedule and all of the latest news and more from the band online at http://www.facebook.com/officialQueenV, http://www.queenv.com, http://twitter.com/theQueenV, and http://www.reverbnation.com/queenv.

To keep up with the latest entertainment reviews and news, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

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